Polar Vortex’s Miniature Painting & Modeling Competition

Polar Vortex is going virtual this year so we will be running things a bit differently.

Virtual Competition Entry Requirements:

You need to purchase a badge for entry, and a $5 fee per entry is required.

• For each entry complete this form and submit a photo of your unpainted entry outside of it’s product packaging.
• Upon receiving your information we will contact you with an number for each entry.
• Email a ‘work in progress’ photo to paintingcompetition@polarvortex.games for each entry at any point before the con.
• Once complete post four (4) photos for each entry showing the front, back, and both sides to our miniature-painting channel on Discord. Your entry photos must be posted to the discord channel no later than 12pm on January 24, 2021. Only entries that include these images will be eligible for awards.

All awards will be announced Monday, January 25, 2021. At that time we will contact you to arrange shipping of awards.

Good luck and happy painting!

Competition Rules and Regulations:

• Must have a convention badge to enter.
• $5 entry fee per entry.
• No more than 2 entries per painter per category. May only win one award per category.
• Each category must have at least four entries or it will be combined with another category at the discretion of the Judges.
• Entries must be presented in-person by the painter and must be the sole work of the individual whose name is represented on the entry form. Any entry painted by anyone other than the entrant will be disqualified.
• Winning models from previous other contests, conventions, or online competitions may not be entered.
• No painted models published prior to this Polar Vortex competition in any professional print media or gaming material may be entered. Online publication of your painted entry prior to this Polar Vortex competition is acceptable only if done so in the spirit of receiving feedback on your work from the hobby community.
• Disqualified winning entries forfeit all prizes, titles, awards, and the painter is barred from entry in future Polar Vortex competitions. If an entry is disqualified, awards are given to the next winning entry. Information dealing with an entry in this competition that may result in disqualification should be brought to the attention of Polar Vortex management immediately.
• Entries will be photographed, and entry registration grants permission for Polar Vortex to show them in all public media, including online and print media.
• Polar Vortex Staff, Painting Competition Volunteers, and Competition Management cannot be held responsible for damaged or lost miniatures. We treat all miniatures with respect and will do or our best to keep them safe.
• Polar Vortex Staff, Polar Vortex Competition Volunteers, and Polar Vortex Competition Judges are not eligible for entry.
• All decisions of the judges and management are final.
• Entries must be received by 11 pm on Saturday of Polar Vortex.

Entry awards are assigned by noon Sunday and entries may begin to be picked up at 1 pm Sunday. Entries and prizes must be picked up by 5 pm Sunday, or the entrant will pay shipping and handling for their entries and prizes to be mailed to them. If entrant designates a proxy to pick up their entry(s), they must present the entrant’s Badge. If we receive no replies to our attempts to contact you by phone or email by last day in February of this year, prizes will be forfeit and entries still in our possession will be auctioned.

Divisions

Fresh Talent – 14 and under. Any model of any scale may be entered, categories are not assigned for this division. NOTE: An entrant who has previously won a Gold in this Division may enter the Open Division.

Open – Any painter 15 and over who has never entered in the Masters division. NOTE: Any entrant who has previously won a Gold or Best in Category award in the Open Division may enter the Masters division.

Masters – Commission painters, industry professionals, or painters with work previously published in industry media—either print or digital—such as an ad, catalog, or box art.

Categories

Single Figure – 28- 40mm scale single or mounted figure that falls within the size restriction. This includes base and mount. Judges will determine if any elements extending beyond the size restrictions matter. Size restriction: 2” wide x 2” deep x 2.5” tall.

Large Figure/Vehicle – Single figures that are larger than the Single Figure restrictions. Large monsters, larger scale figures, vehicles, busts or other single miniatures or models that do not fall into the Single Figure category. Size restriction: 10” wide x 10” deep x 10” tall.

Group/Unit – Two or more model belonging to the same group, unit or faction. Together all models must fit within the size restriction. Models may be displayed on a unified base or separately. Size restriction: 10” wide x 10” deep x 10” tall.

Diorama – One or more models with a scenic base, background and/or display which tells a story. Size restriction: 12’ wide x 12” deep x 12” tall.

Display plinths are not counted as part of the base, height of the entry, nor is included in the judging of the model.

Awards

Awards will be issued based on the individual merit of the entries. Judges issue a gold, silver, or bronze award to any entry as is appropriate based on the criteria. There is no set maximum or minimum number of awards per division per category.

Best in Category is awarded to only one winner per category. Best in Show is awarded to the best model from among the winners of the Best in Category Awards.

Judging Criteria

Each entry is judged on both Technique and Presentation combined.

Technique

Technique covers the skills used to build, paint, base and complete the entry.

Bronze: Free of major technical faults such as multiple mold lines, visible primer or bare model, unfilled or sloppily filled gaps. Model is painted in a consistent manner.

Silver: Free of major technical faults mentioned above. Model demonstrates a clear and well executed style of painting.

Gold: Free of any technical faults. Model demonstrates extremely well executed painting techniques.

Artistic Presentation

Artistic Presentation covers the creative choices, such as palette choice, basing choice and overall presentation.

Bronze: Model is painted in a cohesive color palette and is fully based. All elements of the model have been painted.

Silver: Model is painted in a style and color palette that complement the figure. Entry has a clear focal point. Total presentation of the model is cohesive.

Gold: Model is painted in a style and color palette that complement and enhance the figure. Entry is extremely well composed. Total presentation of the model is compelling.

Best in Category: For each category, Single Figure, Large Figure/Vehicle, Group/Unit, and Diorama; one model will be awarded Best in Category.

Best in Show: One model from the Best in Category winners will be awarded Best in Show.